With release today on the U.S. EPA’s website of the car’s numbers, the 2017 model get 42 mpg over 38 last year, and 97 MPGe over 88 last year, as well as 22 miles “Elec+Gas” range, over 20 miles for 2016.

This extra 2 miles range is essentially EV range, but the EPA qualifies things because the gas engine – still a 2.0-liter four – can come on briefly in the cycle.

All-electric range is also now 21 versus 19 last year, and in either case, careful drivers may get 21-22 miles range without the gas coming on, assuming their route does not dictate enough power to initiate that.

In the process, Ford noted that with the same 14.0-gallon gas tank size as last year, range of EV plus gas has increased from 550 miles to 610.

And to get the message out, the automaker commissioned a Haris poll, which touts range saying, “Online Harris Poll finds 40 percent of U.S. adult drivers frustrated with their vehicle’s range,” and “Ford now has a plug-in hybrid vehicle that can go further than any other.”

The poll also suggests consumers may have serious misconceptions about plug-in hybrid total gas plus electric range.

“The March 2016 Harris Poll of more than 1,000 U.S. adults also finds Americans believe the longest-range plug-in hybrid can go 261 miles – less than half the Fusion Energi’s range,” says a press release.

Click to expand. 2017 Hyundai numbers not posted yet.

Well, that un-numbered quantity of American who guessed 261 miles are incorrect, because as you can see the Volt is rated 420 miles, and the 2016 Hyundai Sonata PHEV is good for 600 miles – so it beat the 2016 Fusion Energi, and now the 2017 beats it by 10 miles.

Actually, range is a function largely of fuel tank size. Efficiency wise, the Chevy Volt tops both in “MPGe,” and its 42 mpg equals the Energi’s – though notable is the Energi has a larger engine and is a larger car.

But of course, the goal with the Volt – which is more attainable than with any other PHEV – is to avoid gas. Its 8.9 gallon tank still allows GM’s compact to go more than 900 miles between fill-ups in the hand of users, according to GM Onstar data.

The Volt’s major advantage is the 53-miles EV range which is pure EV, and being a purpose-built plug-in extended-range EV, it can do this, albeit at the expense of size, and rear seat room.

But in any case, there are pros and cons to any choice, and the Fusion Energi is improved over 2016.

]]>http://www.hybridcars.com/2017-ford-fusion-energi-gets-improved-epa-scores/feed/0Ford Fusion Popular In Californiahttp://www.hybridcars.com/ford-fusion-popular-in-california/
http://www.hybridcars.com/ford-fusion-popular-in-california/#commentsFri, 10 Oct 2014 04:00:53 +0000http://www.hybridcars.com/?p=203417Ford is finding success in California with its Fusion sedan. The Ford Fusion is continuing to gain market share in large part due to design-conscious buyers in California, stated the company. The Fusion sedan is available with various powertrains, including Ford’s EcoBoost engine, a Hybrid version and a plug-in. These have no doubt helped put […]

The Ford Fusion is continuing to gain market share in large part due to design-conscious buyers in California, stated the company.

The Fusion sedan is available with various powertrains, including Ford’s EcoBoost engine, a Hybrid version and a plug-in. These have no doubt helped put the Fusion top of mind for many Californians.

Ford stated the midsize sedan segment in the U.S. overall continues to grow in sales volume, but as a percentage of total sales the segment is being outpaced by other segments, including small utilities. Despite those headwinds in the segment, Ford Fusion retail registrations continue to grow at double the pace of the midsize sedan segment overall, according to Ford’s analysis of Polk new vehicle registration data from IHS Automotive.

Ford attributes sales growth for the Fusion sedan to retail demand from motorists in the Golden State; with retail registrations up 27 percent in California through July, the state contributed to 21 percent of the Fusion’s retail sales growth in the U.S. market.

“The Fusion is achieving growth in all the right places, especially in California, which is the largest midsize sedan market in the country, followed by Texas,” said Erich Merkle, Ford sales analyst. “Fusion growth in California is growing at twice the rate of the overall midsize sedan segment. Fusion sales and share are both the highest levels we’ve seen.”

Texas was the second biggest contributor to Fusion sales growth with 22 percent retail gains, representing 14 percent of U.S. Fusion retail registration growth in the U.S. through July.

Through September of this year, the Fusion has seen its market share climb to an all-time high of 12 percent, according to industry sales data, and has produced record sales for six of the last nine months.

]]>http://www.hybridcars.com/ford-fusion-popular-in-california/feed/0Ford Adding GE EV Charging Stations For Its Employeeshttp://www.hybridcars.com/ford-adding-ge-ev-charging-stations-for-its-employees/
http://www.hybridcars.com/ford-adding-ge-ev-charging-stations-for-its-employees/#commentsFri, 21 Mar 2014 14:46:52 +0000http://www.hybridcars.com/?p=134881Ford will be installing GE EV charging stations at its facilities all across the U.S. Ford Motor Company announced it will supply vehicle charging stations at Ford facilities nationwide in conjunction with GE, beginning with facilities in and around its headquarters. Ford said the announcement continues the innovative cooperation begun more than 100 years ago […]

]]>Ford will be installing GE EV charging stations at its facilities all across the U.S.

Ford Motor Company announced it will supply vehicle charging stations at Ford facilities nationwide in conjunction with GE, beginning with facilities in and around its headquarters.

Ford said the announcement continues the innovative cooperation begun more than 100 years ago between Henry Ford and Thomas Edison, co-founder of GE.

This month, Ford will begin installing GE WattStation charging stations across its North American campuses. The company said the goal is to develop a workplace charging network at nearly every Ford facility in the United States and Canada.

“Ford’s commitment to sustainability extends beyond our fuel-efficient vehicles to include our daily workplace,” said Mike Tinskey, Ford director of vehicle electrification and infrastructure. “We know that a growing electrified vehicle infrastructure is key to making plug-in vehicles a viable option for more consumers. Ford is committed to doing its part to help develop that infrastructure.”

Ford explained with the new charging network, Ford employees commuting to their jobs from up to 21 miles away in plug-in hybrid vehicles – Fusion Energi and C-MAX Energi – may be able to drive entirely on electric power to and from work. Fusion Energi and C-MAX Energi have an EPA-estimated MPG ratings 44 city, 41 highway and 43 combined and have an EPA-estimated range of 21 miles electric. Drivers of the electric-only Focus Electric, which has an EPA-estimated range of 76 miles on a full charge, will have even more gas-free commuting potential.

Ford plans to install electric vehicle charging stations at more than 60 of its offices, product development campuses and manufacturing facilities.

Installation will begin at Ford’s southeast Michigan facilities and roll out across other facilities throughout 2014.

Ford stated throughout North America, the number of charging stations – both public and residential – is growing rapidly. In 2009, there were 3,000 known public charge stations. Today, there are more than 20,000.

The Ford charging service will be free to employees for the first four hours of charging each day. By offering free charging, Ford is trying to encourage charging station sharing, enabling twice as many employees to charge at work for free.

Ford added it is also asking employees to use the MyFord Mobile smartphone app to collect driving and charging information to help the company understand driving patterns and potentially influence future product design. Ford estimates it will cost about 50 cents to fully charge each vehicle.

Ford said its WattStation charging station installation differs from other workplace charging installations in that the units will be networked together. As a result, the company will be able to gather comprehensive information on electrified vehicle use, such as the number of hours vehicles are charging and the amount of carbon dioxide reduced. It can then use actual station data to plan for additional station installations.

]]>http://www.hybridcars.com/ford-adding-ge-ev-charging-stations-for-its-employees/feed/0Is There A ‘Best’ Plug-in Hybrid?http://www.hybridcars.com/who-makes-the-most-useful-plug-in-hybrid/
http://www.hybridcars.com/who-makes-the-most-useful-plug-in-hybrid/#commentsTue, 26 Nov 2013 20:35:56 +0000http://www.hybridcars.com/?p=96769While more makes and models are on their way, the number of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) available now in the U.S. can still be still counted on the fingers of one hand. Each is positioned as functional, fuel-efficient, low-emissions, mainstream-priced, and subsidy eligible, but is any one of them a stand-out “best?” We’re more […]

]]>While more makes and models are on their way, the number of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) available now in the U.S. can still be still counted on the fingers of one hand.

Each is positioned as functional, fuel-efficient, low-emissions, mainstream-priced, and subsidy eligible, but is any one of them a stand-out “best?” We’re more than a little aware that some fans say unequivocally yes, but fact is, not all agree.

Since December 2010 when the “extended-range electric vehicle” (E-REV) Chevrolet Volt was launched, increasing volumes and variety has shown plug-in gas-electric cars are a legitimate choice, and people are making decisions based on their predilections and individual requirements.

Short of a full road test, we thought we’d put together a subjective overview of salient points as they occur to us on the available plug-in hybrid gas-electric cars – with links to each – should you wish to delve deeper.

The List

A short summation is some models stand out in some areas, but fall perceptibly short in others. While fans may sneer at certain cars, each one is relatively innovative and competitive in various respects.

Why a PHEV?

Should you buy a plug-in hybrid? PHEVs offer the range and convenience of a high-mpg internal combustion car, but also operate like a purely electric car for limited distances – around 11 miles for the shortest to 38 or more for the longest.

Assuming you stay in the gas-free zone, a PHEV can be recharged at home for maybe one-quarter the cost of gas – saving time and money spent at the gas station, and they emit no hydrocarbons while operating electrically.

Point-Counterpoint

If your goal is to travel as far on electricity as possible, the Volt is the winner with 38 miles EPA-rated range. This can dip to the mid 20s in cold, or rise to the 40s and even 50 with sedate drivers, but its back-seat knee room can be tight for the vertically unchallenged. If you need a five seater, it handles only four. Also its forward visibility is a slightly more constrained with its wider A-pillars.

Chevrolet Volt.

Depending on your tax status, the Volt is eligible for the highest $7,500 federal tax credit, and potential state credits are highest also.

Its price was cut to just below $35,000 for 2014 – probably doing nothing for resale value by those who bought a 2011-2013 for more – but it means some people have reported netting discounted, fully incentivized Volts in the $23,000-$27,000 range.

The Volt is fun to drive, quick to 30 mph, decent to 60, goes to 100 in electric drive, and corners well among its peers.

Click image to expand.

As an alternative, the Prius PHEV now starts at around $30,000, ranges up to $40,000 or so, gets only $2,500 in federal credit potential, but it is midsize, seats five, and reverts to a 50 mpg Prius when the 4.4-kwh battery depletes.

People who drive at a moderate pace can stay mostly in full EV power up to around 14 miles in the Toyota, and on longer trips they get much better mileage and need only pay for regular gas, not premium like the 37 mpg Volt requires.

There is something of a cat-and-dog kind of adversarial stance between certain fans of the Volt and Prius PHEV. Critics of Toyota are quick to observe the EPA sticker says a mere 6 miles all-electric range, and 11 miles gas-plus-electric. This is true, but the EPA cycle mandates a heavy press of the accelerator at six miles which is why the gas comes on, and drivers have actually nursed 14-plus miles out of the battery.

The Volt – which is unique as an “E-REV,” would not turn on its gasoline generator under such conditions regardless, and functions as a pure EV until the battery runs out – except under certain higher operational speeds, as needed.

The Prius PHEV is based on the tried-and-true Japanese-made Prius Liftback. Depending on the daily range, a Volt can still beat a Prius PHEV’s averaged electric-plus-gas “mpg” score up to 50 or even 75 miles or more because the Volt goes so much farther gas-free.

Ford Fusion Energi.

At speed all PHEVs (and the E-REV) eat up electrons quicker, and they are best suited for sedate commuting if one desires maximum efficiency.

Splitting the gap between the Volt and Prius are the Fusion and C-Max Energi which start just under $33,000 for the C-Max and $39,000 for the Fusion, and share the same powertrain.

Ford has been vying for market position, most notably targeting Toyota in its advertising and press releases.

In short, Ford wanted its hybrids to be more mainstream in design, and faster in operation than the Prius. They are, but the extra power costs them in gas efficiency.

Ford C-Max Energi.

Both Energis are peppy, seat five, roomy for their class, and where they beat the Prius is with around 21 miles electric range and their all-electric speed surpasses the Prius at 85 mph.

Their gas mileage also splits the difference as do their $3,750 eligibility in federal subsidies – based on battery size. Otherwise, Ford and Toyota do share patents on their hybrid architecture.

The C-Max has more cargo capacity than the Prius, but its 43 mpg EPA and potentially less real-world gas mileage mean it’s not a no brainer.

Of them all, the Fusion Energi is arguably the one with which to blend-in the best. Only its badging distinguishes it from hybrid and conventional Fusion variants, but the same goes for the all-but vaporous but terrific Honda Accord PHEV.

It’s a shame Honda is not more bold with its PHEV, selling it only in California and New York, and planning to produce them only until next year.

The Accord PHEV’s revolutionary powertrain has no actual transmission, relying instead on two direct drive electric motors to serve as a de facto tranny. And, it’s paired with the “world’s most efficient” gasoline Atkinson-cycle engine.

Honda Accord PHEV.

The EPA numbers and real-world operation show it is more efficient in both electric mode and gas mode, but its 6.7-kwh battery in the trunk allows only around 14 miles range – about the same as a Prius, priced like the Prius PHEV Advanced, but in a package of Honda’s roomy five-seater Accord.

The Honda boasts the best resale value of them all, according to Kelley Blue Book, and no doubt it has a lot of the right stuff.

If Honda wanted to, it could engineer a PHEV based on the Accord PHEV to be the slam dunk among all. Needed would be more battery capacity for Volt-like (or beating) range and a design that retained the spaciousness, but the technology is already in place, if not the will to use it.

No, Honda has other plans. Like Toyota, it’s more bullish on regular hybrids and the Accord PHEV is the basis for the pending Accord Hybrid, which is the same car with a smaller battery, and no plug-in capability.

So What’s Best?

If we could take the benign route, we’d affix a bumper sticker on this and say “all of our kids are honor students.” More realistically, any one of them stands to work well, but the best compromise depends on what you want.

For one or two occupants and smaller rear-seat passengers, the Volt potentially offers the most compelling proposition given its long e-range. For those who regularly exceed EV range with longer daily or infrequent trips, it’s between the Prius and Fords. The $40k Accord is somewhere in the realm of the Fords and Toyota too, and while costing more, offers a unique alternative in return.

We told you what we’d like to do in fantasy wish-list: mix elements of each and redesign an ideal roomy, high-electric-range, affordable car that gets good gas mileage all at the same time.

Does that mean you should wait until the next generation? Maybe, but not necessarily. Leasing or being mindful of potential resale value to keep options open are things to weigh among myriad other considerations.

]]>http://www.hybridcars.com/who-makes-the-most-useful-plug-in-hybrid/feed/0Should You Buy a Plug-in Hybrid?http://www.hybridcars.com/should-you-buy-a-plug-in-hybrid/
http://www.hybridcars.com/should-you-buy-a-plug-in-hybrid/#commentsWed, 23 Oct 2013 12:30:15 +0000http://www.hybridcars.com/?p=83657Despite skepticism and misinformation, plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) sales continue to rise, new models are being introduced, and customer feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. One of the biggest reasons to go for a PHEV is they have the range and convenience of a high-mpg internal combustion car, but also operate like an electric car […]

]]>Despite skepticism and misinformation, plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) sales continue to rise, new models are being introduced, and customer feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.

One of the biggest reasons to go for a PHEV is they have the range and convenience of a high-mpg internal combustion car, but also operate like an electric car for limited distances – around 11 miles for the shortest to 38 or more for the longest.

Deciding what daily range you need is a big part of whether a given plug-in hybrid gets the thumbs up. Then, assuming one keeps it in the gas-free zone, it can be recharged at home for perhaps one quarter the cost of gas and drivers can nearly kiss the gas station goodbye except when traveling longer.

The first plug-in gas-electric car – the Chevrolet Volt – was launched in December 2010, fully 102 years and a couple months after launch of the first mass-acceptance internal combustion automobile, the Ford Model T.

The Volt is only available as a dedicated extended-range EV that functions differently in all-electric and gas-only mode than the modified hybrids – Toyota Prius PHEV, Honda Accord PHEV, and Ford Fusion Energi and C-Max Energi PHEVs.

The Volt was designed uniquely as an “extended-range electric vehicle” and while it uses both electricity and gas, operates fundamentally differently than parallel hybrids designed to plug in.

Together, these cars represent a shift away from a century of entrenched technology and attitudes and they are a less radical way to do it than utterly cutting the petroleum-based umbilical cord with a battery electric car.

Opinions on PHEVs are as colorful as any you’ll find on YouTube. PHEVs and all-electric cars have also had to overcome consumers’ tendencies to fence sit, not to mention surveys have shown shoppers may have no clue how these cars work before rejecting them out of hand.

Maybe we should not be surprised sales have started modestly? But while sales numbers are still well below mainstream levels, PHEVs have established a foothold, and more models are due to follow.

Helping the many fronted battle against present realities are federal and in cases state incentives, as well as some discounting and value-priced lease deals.

Smart Solution?

Market studies show PHEV buyers have included some of the best educated and most technologically knowledgeable people who take the effort to make a qualified decision.

And it does take more than the usual analysis to decide whether a PHEV is a smart choice, and which one would best fit specific needs.

Saving money is only one bonus from burning less fuel and relying on domestically sourced electricity.

Analyses have shown power station emissions needed to recharge a plug-in car are less than the emissions from a conventionally powered car – and this varies by region depending on the power source mix contributing to respective grids.

Overall, grids around the country are becoming cleaner as coal fired plants go offline and less-polluting plants, such as natural gas fired and renewable energy powered, come online.

Ancillary Benefits

Beyond potentially saving money and the environment, electric automobile propulsion also tends to be viewed as enjoyable and convenient.

Just because America is “addicted to oil” doesn’t mean you have to be.

The value of rarely having to stop, fill, and pay a gas station is a relief PHEV adopters soon discover. And unlike pure electric cars, PHEVs’ smaller batteries can typically be recharged from wall current overnight or in a few hours. One trick is to set recharging to off-peak hours when rates are lowest.

And beyond that, PHEVs are fun to drive and satisfying, and this is worth mentioning.

For one hundred years whispery quiet driving was the bragging point of the most expensive luxury cars in the world. Today, in all-electric mode, PHEVs are Rolls-Royce quiet and smooth.

A few of them are reasonably quick with instant torque, and handle decently as well.

Admit It

As a newcomer technology priced generally higher, PHEVs are typically put under a microscope by those poring over every extra penny – and that is fine if you are from the planet Vulcan.

Normally buying guide articles pose as strict cost-benefit analyses coming down on one side of the author’s degree of research (or bias) or the other attempting to recommend whether you should answer “yay” or “nay!”

Then again, marketers can go too far pushing cars that are beautiful but fall short in other criteria. The no-longer-in production 2012 Fisker Karma was not bad, but had issues, was expensive, and the company was bought October 2013 by a Hong Kong investor.

We’ll put on our curmudgeon hat in just a minute, but first let’s have a dose of reality on human nature and actual purchasing behavior.

Do you think this is hype? That’s fine, but first go to a search engine and punch in “people buy for emotional reasons” and see what you come up with.

Fact is, a car purchase is a fairly big ticket item, and the net “experience” or how it makes you feel is part of it.

For any purchase, if you like how something looks, performs – or how great it is for the environment, your budget or values – you may pay for it even if there are cheaper alternatives.

People opt all day long for luxury models when a Corolla would involve less cost to own. Or others may go for sports cars when, again, a cheaper set of wheels would work.

Hard Facts

The flip side to this emotionally tinged decision process is people also need to believe there are solid reasons to justify why they spend their money – and with PHEVs, there are, or at least there can be.

If you need to crunch numbers to justify a $35,000 plug-in, consider the $76,000-plus Cadillac ELR. Based on the Volt with nary an improvement in efficiency, the luxury car is to launch January 2014, and has already had its marketing chief say they won’t sell many of this “technological halo.”

A full analysis of every single scenario would be impossible, but here are variables to be aware of in analyzing actual cost of ownership, time to payback, and whether a purported eco car would really be an extravagance in disguise.

Your Homework

A simple balance sheet analysis would involve using the above variables to estimate actual monthly costs for a plug-in hybrid under consideration, and compare them to costs for another prospective car – be it a regular hybrid or any other vehicle.

Real world gas savings are entirely up to you. Keep the car in its all-electric zone for daily driving, and you’ll notice your electric bill go up modestly and you’ll eliminate the gas bill.

If you plan to travel non-electrically – say on trips, or because your daily drive exceeds the all-electric range of a given car – you’ll want to assess gasoline costs for those miles to help qualify the actual degree of savings.

Honda Accord PHEV.

On the other hand, if you do not drive enough electric miles per year, you may not save enough fuel to pay yourself back for having bought a plug-in model over a regular hybrid stable mate – true for all except Volt which is plug-in only.

All these cars are eligible for federal and depending on where purchased, state subsidies. Specifically, the federal tax credit the Volt can receive is up to $7,500, the Fords can receive $3,750, and the Prius PHEV and Accord PHEV can receive $2,500. This is based on the kilowatt-hour size of their batteries. A larger battery is assumed to offer longer emissions- and gas-free driving.

On a strict cost-accounting basis, these cars have been shown to pencil out – but they do not always.

The Volt gets the biggest boost – states like California, Pennsylvania and Colorado for example kick in over a couple thousand or more, and net reductions with full federal credit has seen buyers factor low five-figure price cuts. A Volt netting for middle 20s puts it well into regular hybrid price territory.

Random Considerations

For individual overviews on each plug-in model, we’ll refer you to ones we’ve written for the Volt, Prius, Accord, Fusion, and C-Max, but following are some stand-out pointers.

Remember, there is no PHEV that beats all comers on every point.

Ford C-Max Energi.

Leasing instead of buying a PHEV can make sense, as the federal tax credit may be rolled in and cut the rate even for people who’d not otherwise qualify on their tax returns.

Leasing may be smart also because this does not tie you to factors like possibly less than-expected resale value. You may benefit now and get out of a car in time for the next advancement to come along.

At speed all these cars eat up electrons quicker, and they are best suited for sedate commuting if one desires maximum efficiency.

But Should You Buy One?

Yes, if your situation permits and we’ve covered most of the important things to consider. Though they cost more, subsidies and fuel savings mean plug-in hybrids can become a case of “less is more” assuming you recharge, drive enough miles annually, and stay as gas-free as possible.

“PHEVs pencil out depending on travel distance routine,” says Woods, “So if a driver can use the battery for primary fuel through residential and workplace charging, then gas becomes a minor cost.”

Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid.

The answer for you could also be “no” for reasons alluded to – including your ideological orientation or because the daily electric range is not enough for your needs.

Or you could be one who’s waiting to see what’s next.

It’s expected all-electric range and fuel efficiency will improve. The next generation Volt may be launched in 2015 or 2016, and the improved Prius PHEV is due around 2015 also.

It’s a given technology will get better tomorrow, but if you want a worthwhile solution, you need not wait for a plug-in hybrid that can make sense today.

]]>http://www.hybridcars.com/should-you-buy-a-plug-in-hybrid/feed/0Inflatable Rear Seatbelts Available In Fusion Hybrid And Fusion Energihttp://www.hybridcars.com/inflatable-rear-seatbelts-available-in-fusion-hybrid-and-fusion-energi/
http://www.hybridcars.com/inflatable-rear-seatbelts-available-in-fusion-hybrid-and-fusion-energi/#commentsWed, 14 Aug 2013 13:26:11 +0000http://www.hybridcars.com/?p=63436As we reported as pending in our Fusion review posted mid-July, Ford has now formally announced the 2014 Fusion Hybrid and Fusion Energi can be equipped with rear inflatable safety belts. Ford said the 2014 Ford Fusion is now the only car in the midsize segment to offer rear inflatable safety belts, adding to the […]

]]>As we reported as pending in our Fusion review posted mid-July, Ford has now formally announced the 2014 Fusion Hybrid and Fusion Energi can be equipped with rear inflatable safety belts.

Ford said the 2014 Ford Fusion is now the only car in the midsize segment to offer rear inflatable safety belts, adding to the sedan’s suite of available safety and driver-assist technologies.

This option is also available in the Fusion Hybrid and Fusion Energi.

According to Ford, rear inflatable safety belts combine the attributes of safety belts and airbags. The shoulder belt developed for the outboard rear seats contains an airbag. During a crash, sensors determine when the inflatable belt should deploy and signal the belt’s tubular airbag to rapidly inflate with compressed gas.

“The inflatable belt is designed to help reduce head, neck and chest injuries for rear-seat passengers, often children and older passengers who can be more vulnerable to such injuries,” said Srinivasan Sundararajan, safety technical leader with Ford’s research and advanced engineering group. “This is another unique family technology that builds on our safety leadership.”

Ford introduced inflatable rear safety belts on the 2011 Ford Explorer; along with Fusion, the technology is now also available on the Ford Flex, Ford Taurus, Lincoln MKT and Lincoln MKZ.

The technology will also be available in Australia when the new Ford Mondeo arrives in that market in late 2014.

Ford said that in everyday use, inflatable belts operate like conventional safety belts, and are compatible with child car seats and boosters. During a crash, the inflatable belt helps distribute crash forces across more of a passenger’s torso than a traditional belt – up to five times more. Spreading the pressure over a larger area helps reduce pressure on the passenger’s chest, and helps control head and neck motion.

]]>http://www.hybridcars.com/inflatable-rear-seatbelts-available-in-fusion-hybrid-and-fusion-energi/feed/0Ford Finds 60 Percent Of PHEV Trips Are Gas-Freehttp://www.hybridcars.com/ford-finds-60-percent-of-phev-trips-are-gas-free/
http://www.hybridcars.com/ford-finds-60-percent-of-phev-trips-are-gas-free/#commentsTue, 30 Jul 2013 13:53:37 +0000http://www.hybridcars.com/?p=62548Ford has revealed insight on how its plug-in hybrid owners are using their vehicle. Ford said plug-in hybrid owners are making the most of the vehicles’ 21 miles of gas-free all-electric range, using them for mostly short trips or commutes, and operating in electric mode nearly 60 percent of the time, according to new aggregate […]

]]>Ford has revealed insight on how its plug-in hybrid owners are using their vehicle.

Ford said plug-in hybrid owners are making the most of the vehicles’ 21 miles of gas-free all-electric range, using them for mostly short trips or commutes, and operating in electric mode nearly 60 percent of the time, according to new aggregate data collected from Ford’s MyFord Mobile app.

MyFord Mobile is currently available on Ford’s plug-in and battery-electric vehicles, including the Fusion Energi, C-MAX Energi and Focus Electric, and is available for download both through the App Store and Google Play.

Early aggregate data collected through vehicles tied to MyFord Mobile show nearly 60 percent of total PHEV miles driven every day are in electric mode, and that there is an improvement in this figure over the first 30 days of vehicle ownership.

“The daily percent driven in electric mode continues to inch upward, suggesting drivers are using the information provided by MyFord Mobile to change how they drive and really get the most out of their vehicles,” says Joe Rork, MyFord Mobile product manager.

MyFord Mobile allows drivers to link up with their cars via an embedded AT&T wireless module that provides remote communication with the car to maximize utility and minimize operating costs; a multiyear wireless service subscription is included with every Ford electrified vehicle. Among the various features, drivers can log in at any time to check the current state of charge of the advanced lithium-ion battery pack.

Ford doesn’t collect information on individual drivers, but aggregates group data so that it can continue to deliver the best possible ownership experience.

Not every owner uses MyFord Mobile. Ford released data available from those who use it; this data is showing:

More electric drive time: early in the year, as little as 41 percent of drive time was being spent in electric mode; as recent as July 16, the figure was nearing 60 percent;

More daily total miles: with Ford’s share of the U.S. electrified vehicle market at nearly 16 percent for the first half of 2013, between 100,000 and 160,000 miles are being driven every day;

More daily trips: in the last month, roughly 5,000 to 7,000 trips have been made in vehicles using MyFord Mobile daily;

Short trips: 84 percent of one-way trips are of distances 20 miles or less.

“We’re already seeing just how useful MyFord Mobile is, both from a customer point of view in terms of day-to-day driving and also from a company standpoint,” says Rork. “We look at the data closely to make decisions about the evolution of MyFord Mobile and the vehicles themselves.”

Ford said MyFord Mobile has evolved since launch and now features a charging station finder powered by PlugShare.com, which provides what the company considers the most comprehensive dataset of information available. In addition to the more than 12,500 public charging stations in the United States, PlugShare provides data about private stations, too.

According to Ford, the station finding feature is one of the most frequently used functions of MyFord Mobile. Early data related specifically to charging show:

About 6 million charging stations are found every month through MyFord Mobile;

Average charge time is 185 minutes;

About 180,000 charging stations are located daily through MyFord Mobile;

Noon to 2 p.m. is when most charging station searches are conducted;

The top five most active regions for charge station searches are San Francisco, Los Angeles, Portland, Seattle and the northeast corridor.

Another recent change to MyFord Mobile is the addition of the Trip & Charge Log, a function that gives drivers instant information about recent trips, such as how much energy was used and average fuel economy, along with an instant score based on driving habits, such as how effectively brakes are applied.

]]>http://www.hybridcars.com/ford-finds-60-percent-of-phev-trips-are-gas-free/feed/0Ford Fusion Energi Scores Five Starshttp://www.hybridcars.com/ford-fusion-energi-scores-five-stars/
http://www.hybridcars.com/ford-fusion-energi-scores-five-stars/#commentsMon, 20 May 2013 15:20:43 +0000http://www.hybridcars.com/?p=58920The 2013 Ford Fusion Energi has earned the highest possible “five-star” Overall Vehicle Score from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The five-star rating is the U.S. Government’s highest-possible safety rating and is determined only after severe testing procedures as part of NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program (NCAP), which combines vehicle performance in frontal […]

The five-star rating is the U.S. Government’s highest-possible safety rating and is determined only after severe testing procedures as part of NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program (NCAP), which combines vehicle performance in frontal and side-impact crash tests and resistance to rollover.

The Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid joins the Ford Fusion and the Ford Fusion Hybrid which already received five-star safety ratings.

NHTSA has elected to test plug-in vehicles separately from vehicles powered by gasoline internal combustion engines as the market share of electrified vehicles is increasing.

Ford said April marked its best hybrid sales month ever with Ford’s EV market share hitting an all-time high of 18 percent, up from 3 percent last April.

“The Fusion Energi combines the highest possible safety ratings from NHTSA and great fuel economy, two things we know customers are looking for in their vehicles,” said Steve Kenner, Global Director of the Ford Automotive Safety Office. “Our strategy is to provide our customers with a range of powertrain options in our vehicles, while still leading in fuel economy in every segment that we compete.”

The Fusion Energi gets an EPA fuel economy rating of 108 MPGe.

The NHTSA five-star rating for the Fusion Energi comes in addition to the 2013 Fusion being named a Top Safety Pick+ from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in December.

The Top Safety Pick + designation is the highest rating the organization has for vehicle safety.

]]>http://www.hybridcars.com/ford-fusion-energi-scores-five-stars/feed/0Ford Adds PlugShare To MyFord Mobilehttp://www.hybridcars.com/ford-adds-plugshare-to-myford-mobile/
http://www.hybridcars.com/ford-adds-plugshare-to-myford-mobile/#commentsThu, 07 Feb 2013 17:03:07 +0000http://www.hybridcars.com/?p=53062Ford is adding a charging a charging station finder to MyFord Mobile. The new function is powered by PlugShare.com and will be compatible with the new Ford Fusion Energi and C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid vehicles. Ford said PlugShare provides a live database of charging stations across North America. In addition to aggregating publicly available lists […]

]]>Ford is adding a charging a charging station finder to MyFord Mobile.

The new function is powered by PlugShare.com and will be compatible with the new Ford Fusion Energi and C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid vehicles.

Ford said PlugShare provides a live database of charging stations across North America. In addition to aggregating publicly available lists of stations from a variety of sources, PlugShare incorporates crowd-sourced information from users to provide the most comprehensive dataset available.

“When we launched the MyFord Mobile app and portal for the Focus Electric last year, it was the most advanced remote management app of its kind in the industry,” said Bill Frykman, business and product development manager. “We’re now expanding availability of the system to drivers of our new plug-in hybrids and offering some unique features specifically tailored to these long-range vehicles.”

Owners of the first-ever Ford plug-in hybrid vehicles can now use their smartphones from almost anywhere to monitor and manage the battery charging process, find charging stations, check energy efficiency and earn achievements for efficient driving.

“It is a little known fact that the majority of charging stations are currently free to use. By giving drivers a clear view of the reality of charging, PlugShare and Ford are showing more and more drivers that now is a great time to start driving on electricity,” said Forrest North, CEO of Xatori, maker of PlugShare. “With our real-time, crowd-sourcing features that include photos, reviews and check-ins, PlugShare has quickly become one of the largest and most popular charging station locators in North America. We are thrilled an established industry leader such as Ford has chosen PlugShare for MyFord Mobile.”

According to Ford, the station finder component of the MyFord Mobile app now blends point-of-interest search with charging station information from PlugShare.com to let drivers take advantage of opportunistic charging wherever their destination might be. Users can search for terms such as “pizza” or “Mexican food” near a location and MyFord Mobile will display the results along with the nearest available charge for each entry. Drivers can select a destination based on proximity to a plug.

“Access to public charging allows our C-MAX Energi and Fusion Energi customers to drive more electric miles – helping improve our environmental footprint and improve energy security,” said Mike Tinskey, director, Vehicle Electrification and Infrastructure. “We’ve seen impressive growth in the number of installed public charge stations – growing from fewer than 3,000 units in 2010 to more than 11,500 installed units in the U.S. today. This collaboration allows for Ford customers to access all the currently installed stations, as well as gain immediate access to new charge stations as they are installed.”

Ford added that MyFord Mobile’s trip and charge log has also been updated to provide drivers with information about how efficiently they are using their plug-in hybrid vehicle in both electric and hybrid mode. By taking advantage of available data on electricity use, hybrid gas mileage and regenerative braking, the app coaches drivers to adjust their driving style to be more efficient.

The MyFord Mobile app and website still lets plug-in hybrid owners check the state of charge of the battery, get alerts if they forgot to plug the car in or if charging stops, and take advantage of value charging for the lowest electricity rates during off-peak hours. Drivers can also precondition the cabin temperature while the car is plugged in to reduce the load on the drivetrain for enhanced efficiency.

“We designed MyFord Mobile to provide owners of Ford plug-in vehicles with a convenient way to monitor and manage their total energy usage, and we’re continually working to make the experience better,” added Frykman.

MyFord Mobile is available in the Apple iOS App Store for iPhones and the Google Play Store for Android phones.

]]>http://www.hybridcars.com/ford-adds-plugshare-to-myford-mobile/feed/0Fusion Energi EPA Rated At 43 MPG Combined, But Ford Isn’t Boastinghttp://www.hybridcars.com/fusion-energi-epa-rated-at-43-mpg-combined-but-ford-isnt-boasting/
http://www.hybridcars.com/fusion-energi-epa-rated-at-43-mpg-combined-but-ford-isnt-boasting/#commentsThu, 17 Jan 2013 18:02:24 +0000http://www.hybridcars.com/?p=51886Staring down the barrel of a lawsuit contesting the accuracy of a 47-mpg fuel economy rating claim for its C-MAX and Fusion hybrids, Ford now may be less inclined to highlight ratings of the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) versions of those cars. But Ford has yet to post on its consumer Web site the EPA’s combined […]

]]>Staring down the barrel of a lawsuit contesting the accuracy of a 47-mpg fuel economy rating claim for its C-MAX and Fusion hybrids, Ford now may be less inclined to highlight ratings of the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) versions of those cars.

But Ford has yet to post on its consumer Web site the EPA’s combined (city/highway) rating for gasoline only for the PHEV Fusion Energi and C-MAX Energi.

However, on fueleconomy.gov the federal government has given both vehicles – each using the company’s 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle inline four-cylinder plug-in hybrid engine – a rating of 44 city/41 highway/43 combined miles per gallon (mpg).

Equally notable is the projected driving range of up to 21 miles for electricity plus gas.

A notation by fueleconomy.gov for the C-MAX Energi’s Driving Range rating says that the C-MAX tested didn’t use any gasoline for the first 21 miles. The notation also cautions the site’s users that individual driving methods may result in the car using both electricity and gasoline during the first 21 miles following a full battery charge.

This caveat about driving style impacting the vehicles’ fuel economy is effectively what Ford has been saying all along in response to the attention the Fusion and C-MAX hybrids received for apparently not getting 47 mpg combined when Consumer Reports magazine first reported its findings.

The C-MAX and Fusion plug-in hybrid models received an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rating of 100 Miles Per Gallon Equivalent (MPGe) late last year.

According to the Detroit Free Press Ford has said that the cars’ greater horsepower compared to competitive brands allows drivers to drive for fun, or drivers can operate the vehicles conservatively and achieve EPA mileage claims.

The EPA-rated 43 mpg combined for the Fusion PHEV bests the Chevy Volt’s rating of 37 mpg combined, yet is short of the Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid that achieved 50 mpg combined.

The Volt, touted as an extended-range electric vehicle by Chevy, has significantly better all-electric range at 38 miles compared to both Fords (21 miles), and the Prius Plug-in that manages just 11 miles from electricity plus gas.